Brum boss Alex McLeish, with between £20 million - £40 million available at his disposal, has already said quality not quantity was the requirement.

“Wouldn’t we like to sign Wayne Rooney and people like that,” joked Dunford, who started his career in professional football at Derby County in 1969. “That is a bit down the road but, all joking aside, I think, and Carson has already said, that we are setting off on a journey now and the first thing has got to be to remain in the Premier League.

“Realistically there are only four or five clubs in the Premier League who can guarantee staying in the Premier League. We’ve got to improve on the field, Alex McLeish knows that, the supporters know that and the board and management know that.

“So come January it will be quite a busy period, I would imagine. Providing we spend wisely, let’s hope that we will become an established, successful Premier League club."